New Orleans city officials continue their enforcement of the four-hour-before-parade set-up rule, but Councilman J. P. Morrell says the Park and Parkways Department’s efforts amount to a game of “Wack-a-Mole”
On Twitter, the at-large councilman responded to complaints about people violating the rule by setting up ladders, tents, and even personal port-a-potties, among other items. along the route more than four hours before parades. Morrell said his office contacted the NOPD about those violations.
“We’re compiling all the complaints & new #KreweOfChad developments & “innovations” for the 4/10 meeting to see what needs to be done next year,” Morrell wrote on the social media platform. “This Mardi Gras is worse than last year. The RTA/ Street Car/ ADA issues are especially egregious. We are going to have to rethink enforcement and look at how we “staff up” for next year to address enforcement as Parkways isn’t equipped to lead this alone.”
Morrell added that his office is watching what’s posted on social media as well as investigating reports that revelers phone into city hall. Those complaints, Morrell said, need to spark a “conversation about what people NEED for (Mardi Gras) versus what they WANT.”